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The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund was established by Joseph E. Atkinson. As a child, he knew of poverty first-hand as he was the youngest of eight children growing up in a single-parent family after his father was killed in a work-related accident. When he became publisher of the Toronto Star, he appealed to Star readers in 1901 to help children of the poor escape the sweltering city heat during one of the worst summer heat waves on record by providing funds for picnics and excursions. Today, the charity is known as The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund. Later, in 1906, he again reached out to Star readers to contribute to provide gifts for children of the poor to ensure that no child would be without a gift at Christmas. This charity became The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund. Star readers responded generously at that time and have done so every year for more than a century.

What is the charity's mission statement?

The Fund’s mission is to provide underprivileged children with a gift at Christmas.

What makes this charity different from others?

Established in 1906, The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund is one of Toronto’s oldest charities in existence. Since its inception, the Toronto Star newspaper has continued to pay for the administrative expenses related to the Fund.

Who or what does the charity support?

The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund supports children from financially struggling families, age newborn to 12, with a gift box at Christmas. The children must reside within Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Ajax or Pickering to receive the gift box.

How much of the donor dollar is spent on operating, administrative or marketing costs?

The Toronto Star continues to pay for administrative costs allowing donor dollars to be directed toward the gift box preparation.

What is the annual fundraising target?

The fundraising goal has changed over the years to meet the demand. The current goal is to raise in excess of $1.7 million to purchase merchandise for 45,000 gift boxes.

What specifically is in the gift box that each child receives?

Each child receives a colourful gift box containing a warm shirt, hat, mittens, socks, small toy, book, candy and dental hygiene items. All items are age appropriate and gender neutral.

Is it too late to make a donation?

The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund accepts donations throughout the year, but the actual fundraising campaign timeline is from late October to Christmas Eve each year.

I have some items I think the children would enjoy. Can I donate these items to be part of some of the gift boxes?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept donated items. We must ensure we treat each of the 45,000 children equitably. All merchandise must be ordered at the beginning of each year, according to the quantities we require per age, starting from newborn up to age 12. We also ensure all items fit into the standard-sized box, are size appropriate and gender neutral.

Can my donation be directed to a particular family?

Our Fund strongly believes all children should be treated equally and fairly. Therefore, we cannot direct a donation to one particular individual nor can we forward any items to a specific family.

Will my donor information be shared beyond the charity?

We do not sell or share our donor database. The sole purpose of collecting donor information is to issue tax receipts.

Will I receive phone calls, emails or direct mail for future donations?

The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund does not solicit for donations. We rely on individuals to make their donations to our charity on their own.

Will my name appear in the Toronto Star in the Fund’s Donor List?

As a donor, your name can appear or you can choose one of the following:

To donate “In honour of” is to recognize someone or a special event

To donate “In memory of” is to remember someone who has passed on

To donate “In lieu of” is for gift giving or exchange

To remain “Anonymous” ensures your name does not appear in print

When will my name appear in the paper as a donor?

Donor lists are printed during the campaign from early November to January. Once a full page of donor names has been compiled and space becomes available in the Toronto Star, we then print the donor list of names. This list may appear on any day of the week and in any section of the paper. A separate donor list titled “In Memory Of” appears separately, once a full page of names has accumulated.

How do I ensure my name is NOT printed in the paper?

Please advise us in writing or by phone that you wish your donation to remain anonymous.

I am making a donation in lieu of a gift. How does an acknowledgement card get sent for my donation?

For donations of $25 or more, please contact us directly if you require a card to be sent or enclose the information with your cheque. We will need the recipient’s name and full mailing address, as well as the wording you wish to appear in the card and who the card is from.

Will I receive a charitable tax receipt for my donation?

Yes, all donations of $10 or more are issued a tax receipt. Tax receipts are mailed after the campaign, mid-January.

How much does it cost to provide one child with a gift box?

The cost to purchase merchandise direct from manufacturers is approximately $35 per box. The retail value of these items may range from $50 to $100 per box.

How has the charity made a difference to the community so far?

Success is measured in terms of the number of children we are able to support as a result of our financial assistance. We have a significant number of former gift box recipients who are now financial supporters. Their contribution today offers the same opportunity they received as children.

What are the charity's short and/or long-term goals?

To meet the annual fundraising target to provide 45,000 gift boxes.

What groups does the charity focus on for their services?

The focus is on children from low-income homes residing in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Ajax and Pickering.

How does the community respond to the charity?

We measure community response in two ways. The most positive measurement is through the continually increasing financial support we receive from the public and from previous beneficiaries. Unfortunately, the other measurement is by the growing list of candidates recommended for gift boxes through networks of social services organizations.

Are there any restrictions to whom the charity serves (age/gender/type of client)?

This charity supports both boys and girls from all backgrounds, newborn to age 12, who reside within the five cities we can service – Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Ajax and Pickering.

Does the charity intend to expand?

Not at this time.

Does the charity have full/part-time staff?

The Fund employs full-time and seasonal positions to execute the program. A network of more than 100 social and community service agencies submit the children’s names and several hundred volunteers and service groups help with the delivery of the gift boxes.

Does the charity use volunteers?

The charity requires the assistance of volunteers to help deliver the gifts directly to children’s homes starting in December. The volunteer must have a vehicle and travel partner and be available to deliver for 3-4 hours, evenings or weekends.

Does the charity have any major sponsors or receive government funding?

We do not partner with any corporations or organizations nor is government funding provided.

Does the charity share fundraising with any other organizations?

The charity itself does not share fundraising with other organizations, but may be the recipient of other organization’s fundraising efforts.

If you have a story to share, please contact our Toronto Star reporter, as listed in each daily Santa Claus Fund story.

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